2019 Chevrolet Silverado debuts in Detroit with a diesel option
What is it? Turning 100 years old is kind of a big deal, especially for the Chevrolet Silverado. After more than a century, and a teaser just last month, GM has taken the wraps off the 2019 Silverado a few days ahead of the 2018 North American International Auto Show kickoff in Detroit.
Why does it matter? The Silverado is Chevrolet’s bread-andbutter truck, and the redesign takes a competitive, strong-selling truck and makes it better. The new Silverado is some 204 kilograms lighter. It doesn’t go big on either aluminum or steel; the truck’s swing panels (doors, hood and tailgate) are made from aluminum, while its fixed panels (bed, roof and fenders) are steel.
It’s clear the Silverado isn’t chasing after the Ford F-150 by embracing aluminum. Instead, Chevy is going for choice. The truck is available with three powertrains for 2019: a 5.3 or 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0L Duramax turbodiesel in-line six.
The 2019 Silverado will launch in eight trim levels, divided into three tiers. The High Value models occupy the lower end of the lineup; the Work Truck trim serves as the base, while the Silverado Custom and Custom Trailboss add a bit more flash while maintaining a semblance of usability.
Inside, the Silverado is more functional than the truck it replaces. Crew Cab models offer a touch more legroom front and rear, as well as various bins, cubbies, cargo tiedowns and storage trays. Materials are a bit more upscale than before, and the connectivity options you’d expect are available. Certain trims see a class-first power liftgate.
When is it coming? Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the 2019 Silverado will appear in U.S. and Canadian dealers around September. As for the GMC Sierra, that’s also coming later this year.
Should you buy it? Put simply, Canadians love their pickups. With the F-150s recent updates and a new Ram on the horizon, the segment is certainly competitive. We’re still waiting for final specifications — in this segment, power, towing and payload are everything — but right now, Chevrolet seems to have brought its A-game.